Synopsis of Infectious Diseases and Parasites of Commercially Exploited Shellfish

Endonucleobiotic Bacteria of Clams in Portugal

Category | Common Name | Scientific Name | Distribution | Host Species
Impact on Host | Diagnostic Technique | Methods of Control | References | Citation

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Category

Category 3 (Host Not in Canada)

Common, generally accepted names of the organism or disease agent

Endonucleobiotic bacteria of clams, endonucleobiosis.

Scientific name or taxonomic affiliation

Endonucleobiotic, Gram-negative, bacteria.

Geographic distribution

The estuarine region of Faro in southern Portugal.

Host species

Tapes (=Ruditapes) decussatus.

Impact on the host

Observed in the nucleus of branchial epithelial cells with no evidence of associated disease.

Diagnostic techniques

Electron Microscopy: A variable number (usually 5-8 per ultrathin section with about 15 per nucleus) of Gram-negative (identified by ultrastructure of outer membrane of cell wall and cytoplasm membrane) bacteria irregularly distributed among the chromatin dots of the nucleoplasm.

Methods of control

No known methods of prevention or control.

References

Azevedo, C. 1989. Fine structure of endonucleobiotic bacteria in the gill epithelium of Ruditapes decussatus. Marine Biology 100: 339-341.

 

Citation Information

Bower, S.M. (1996): Synopsis of Infectious Diseases and Parasites of Commercially Exploited Shellfish: Endonucleobiotic Bacteria of Clams in Portugal.

URL: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/species-especes/shellfish-coquillages/diseases-maladies/pages/ebcpcc-eng.htm

Date last revised: September 1996
Comments to Susan Bower